Carole King honored with Gershwin Prize

Carole King has amassed some impressive accolades in her storied five-decade career. Now she can add the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song to her mantle.

The prolific singer-songwriter was feted with the songwriting award — named after American composers George and Ira Gershwin — at a White House concert Wednesday night.

President Obama presented the 71-year-old with this year's award during a tribute concert for the singer in the East Room of the White House. King performed her hits, as did Gloria Estefan, Billy Joel, Jesse McCartney, Emeli Sande, James Taylor and Trisha Yearwood.

King is the first woman to be honored with the award, which was established in 2007. Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon have also taken the prize.

Her 1971 album, "Tapestry,'' made her a breakout star. With indelible songs -- some of which she had originally helped pen for other artists -- such as "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "It's Too Late'' and "I Feel the Earth Move” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” the album went to No. 1, where it stayed for 15 weeks. It was a record for most weeks at No. 1 by a female artist, a record that was then topped by Whitney Houston’s soundtrack for “The Bodyguard” and later from Adele’s behemoth, “21.”

The concert is scheduled to be broadcast on PBS stations on May 28 and streamed on the White House website.